Okay, I lied. Not much romance happens. Anyway, glad you came back to read chapter 2. And another thing this is when Uriko is older. Around let's say, 21. And once again, as a reminder, "" means talking, '' means thinking.
Her brilliant brown eyes glistened with tears. Uriko wiped them away with her delicate hand. She stood in the very hotel where Alice spent her last night. Where Alice, was found murdered. Uriko stood in the very spot, where Alice's broken body, lay dead. The report was all over the newspapers in Hollywood.
'Why would Alice commit such an act? She isn't the type to do that. I refuse to believe that she was suicidal. I think somebody pushed her, and I know who.' Uriko's face, normally happy and cheerful, took on an evil looking face. Anger rushed into her body, and she shook with anger. 'YUGO! I KNOW YOU DID THIS!' Tears streamed down her face.
Uriko sighed, the court was going to need her, and she was going to be late if she didn't start walking. She smoothed her office skirt out and walked towards the courthouse.
"I'M TELLING YOU KENJI, IT WASN'T ME!" Said a gruff voice.
"I didn't say it was you, Yugo." Kenji's voice responded.
"Why does everyone think it was ME?" Yugo picked up a beer, and took a sip.
"Yugo, it wouldn't be smart to enter the court while drunk." Kenji said, sipping out of a water bottle. "Are you listening? I said-"
"Yeah, yeah.... I heard you the first time." Yugo set the beer down.
He was a successful businessman, with Kenji by his side. He had met Alice at the train station, years ago:
~*~*~*~*~*~* A Flashback *~*~*~*~*~*~
"All hope won't be lost Uriko! I'm sure SOMEBODY will hire me for acting. I have enough money to get by so far, so everything is okay." Alice's sweet voice said.
"But Alice! What if nobody wants you! I know that you're good at acting, but they look for those girls that wear almost nothing!" Uriko said, while bouncing the little ball Alice gave her.
Uriko, having the butterfingers she did as an 8-year-old, let the ball slip.
"Oh no! The ball! I'm very sorry Alice!" Uriko said tugging at Alice's sleeve.
"It's okay, Uriko. I'll buy you another one." Alice said patting Uriko on the back.
Then a young boy came emerged from the crowd. He had the little ball in his hand. His tousled hair was a dark brown, almost black. His lean figure was stiff, and his eyes were almost emotionless. He held the ball out in the palm of his hand, extending it towards Uriko. She took the ball, and thanked him.
"Kenji? Where'd you go? You can't run around like this in a train station! It's busy! Where are you?" Came another voice.
The boy made no suggestion that he was moving, so Alice stood up.
"Excuse me, sir? Are you looking for a little boy?" Alice asked.
She confronted the stranger. He had brown hair as well, and it was kind of droopy. His eyes seemed sharp, and his face had a scar in an X shape in between the eyes.
"Yes, a little boy. OH! Him! Kenji! Why'd you run like that?" Yugo said, picking the boy up and lifting him onto his shoulders. "Are you going somewhere? You have been in this place for a while."
"Well, not really. We're from out of state, and arrived only 4 hours ago but we're completely lost!" Alice said looking at the floor.
"How do you plan to survive with you and a child?" He asked looking at Uriko who occupied herself with the ball.
"Well, I know this sounds strange, but I'm pursuing a career that can only be found in Hollywood." Alice said sheepishly.
"You wanna be a star, huh?" Yugo asked.
"Uh huh.... I just don't know where to begin." Alice sighed.
"You've found the right man! I'm a manager looking for somebody to be my star. Would you like to try?" Yugo asked.
"Why! I'd love too!" Alice said, her hopes raising a bit.
"Then here's my card. Come to my place and I'll watch you act and model." Yugo said. "Oh, by the way, my name is Yugo, Yugo Ohgami."
"Oh! How rude of me! My name is Alice! Alice Nonomura." She replied. "And that's Uriko Nonomura." She pointed to Uriko, who turned her attention to them at the sound of her name.
"And this little boy is Kenji. Kenji Ohgami, but a smart girl like you would've figured that out." Yugo said. "See you tomorrow at 9:00 am sharp!" Yugo waved and left.
~*~*~*~*~*~* End Flashback *~*~*~*~*~*~
"Why does everyone think I am a suspect? Alice could've commit suicide. I don't know why I'm on their damn list of suspects." Yugo took a big drink of the beer. Kenji snatched it and put it on the table away from Yugo.
"I'm not saying you did, but you could've been drunk and can't remember." Kenji said.
"I was here at the house, doing paper work!" Yugo was getting angry. "And what about you Kenji? Where were you?"
"As you told me to do before, I was at the office doing the paper work that needed to be done THAT day." Kenji said crossing his arms over his chest.
"Damned kids...." Yugo muttered while getting up, "Think they own the place...."
~*~*~*~*~*~* Uriko *~*~*~*~*~*
"What? It is?" Uriko was covering one ear and listing to her cell phone with the other.
"I am sorry ma'am, but the court has suggested that the scheduled date for the trial be moved. It will be in 2 months." Said the woman on the other line.
"Okay, thank you miss. Good bye." Uriko hung up the phone.
Why did they do this NOW? They could've called a day or two before. Uriko stuffed the phone back into her purse. The little ball rolled beneath her fingers.
'The ball Alice gave me when we first arrived. And this ball was also her big break! To think, that a little blue bouncy ball is capable of making a star!' Uriko smiled and started to head home.
~*~*~*~*~*~* Yugo and Kenji *~*~*~*~*~*
"Okay, thank you for informing us. Good bye." Kenji hung up the phone. Why was Yugo such a lazy ass? "They have canceled the trial. It will take place two months from now.
"Good! I need a vacation...." Yugo said while rubbing his head. "All this crap is giving me headache. I can't believe it though...."
"Can't believe what, Yugo?" Kenji asked.
"That I'm their only suspect. Just because I was with her doesn't mean that gave me motive for killing her!" Yugo said while putting his head in his hands.
"Okay, tell me what you remember now. On the night of Alice's death." Kenji said. He was almost like a shrink for Yugo.
"Okay, let me think...." Yugo pondered about it. All I remember was this: I was getting in a fight with her. You know that we lived on the 15th story on our hotel, right? Well, the phone rang and she answered it. After that, I can't remember." Yugo rubbed his head.
"You need to stop drinking. One day, you'll die of alcohol poisoning. If you're not careful." Kenji said while pointing his finger at Yugo.
"What're you, some sort of monk? Lighten up already!" Yugo said.
"Hey Yugo?" Kenji said while flipping through the calendar of important dates.
"Yeah, Kenji?" Yugo responded.
"Today would've been your anniversary with Alice. You would've taken her to that spa, huh?" Kenji asked.
"The spa.... I remember it real well." Yugo sighed. "Hey Kenji! Let's take a vacation and visit spa! I haven't seen the owners for what seems like forever! She'll be so happy that I decided to come!" Yugo sprang from his spot on the couch and talked Kenji into it.
~*~*~*~*~* At Uriko's Place *~*~*~*~*~*
"Finally home! That took longer than expected." Uriko said while opening the door to her hotel.
The cool air felt good against her damp, hot skin. She went up to the reception desk.
"Hello, Pete. Any mail come in for me?" Uriko asked.
"Why yes, in fact two letters came. Here you go, Ms. Nonomura." Pete handed her the letters; Uriko thanked him and walked off.
She climbed the stairs, and went towards her room. She opened it, and began to set things down. When she was finally all settled, she took a look at the letters. One was from the owner of the Grand Coliseum Spa, her friends. She remembered when Alice would take her, Kenji and Yugo there, and they would spend weeks at a time enjoying themselves. What would Jane want?
~*~*~*~*~*~* The letter *~*~*~*~*~*~
Dear Ms. Uriko Nonomura,
When you step in, do give me a call, at the Grand Coliseum Spa.
From Ms. Jane Gado
"Jane's really changed now that she has her own business! That's good!" Uriko smiled. Now for the other letter. "Hm, that odd. No return address...."
She tore open the letter, and gasped. Little bits and pieces of newspapers were cut out and pasted into this letter.
~*~*~*~*~*~* The letter *~*~*~*~*~*~
TO ALICE,
YOU LITTLE BITCH, YOU WILL DIE!! ROT IN HELL!! I'M GLAD THAT YOU WERE SUICIDAL!! IT MAKES YOU EVEN MORE FUCKED UP THAN WHAT YOU WERE BEFORE!!
Uriko couldn't believe this letter. Why was it sent to her house? And why would they send a letter addressed to Alice and at the end know that she was dead. At the top it said, "TO ALICE" but at the bottom it said, "I'M GLAD YOU WERE SUICIDAL!!". They knew Alice was gone, so why were they being dumb asses? Uriko put the letter under Jane's. She'd call her now. Uriko was waiting for somebody to pick up.
"Hello, you have dialed the Grand Coliseum Spa, may I help you?" Jane's voice rang out.
"Hi Jane! Remember me?" Uriko was glad to hear an old friend's voice.
"Um, no." Jane still had an attitude though.
"Jane! It's me! Uriko Nonomura!" She called into the phone receiver.
"Uriko? You got my letter the, huh?" Jane asked.
"Yup! Sure did! Why'd you want me to call?" Uriko sat down into a chair.
"You know that it's Alice's and Yugo's anniversary, right? Well, come down for a while and you can visit and we can talk. I haven't seen you in a while." Jane replied.
"I don't know.... I have a lot to do and-" Uriko started but Jane cut her off.
"As my guest, Uriko." Jane said.
Alice always said those were the three hardest words to say no to coming from Jane and her invitations.
"Well, okay. When would you like me to start coming?" Uriko was digging through her clothes, finding what she'd need.
"As soon as you're finished packing!" Jane sounded freakishly happy.
"Um, okay.... I'll be over within 8 hours, okay?" Uriko asked.
"Okay Uriko. Good bye," Jane hung up, and Uriko wondered why she was trying to force her to go over there. She had barely finished packing after 1/2 an hour, and she was out the door, piling into her car with mounds of suitcases.
~*~*~*~*~*~* Yugo and Kenji *~*~*~*~*~*~
"Are you ready Kenji?" Yugo asked.
"I've been ready for over an hour now." Kenji responded.
"Good! Then let's go to the Grand Coliseum Spa!" Yugo said. He piled the luggage into the trunk, and sat in the passenger's seat. Kenji was forced to drive.
"Why am I always the one to play chauffeur?" He asked.
"Kenji, lighten up. This is good for your driving skills as well." Yugo replied.
He placed the passenger seat to go down, and fell into a deep slumber. Little did Yugo and Kenji know that Uriko would be going to the same spa. The worst part was, she was the one who convicted Yugo of murdering Alice.
So, the beginning of another mystery has started! I hope you like this one as much as my first mystery (which sucked T-T). Anyway, I'm sorry for making Jane happy.... Okay, review if you can and if you do, you're the best! ^_- See ya... laterz.
Her brilliant brown eyes glistened with tears. Uriko wiped them away with her delicate hand. She stood in the very hotel where Alice spent her last night. Where Alice, was found murdered. Uriko stood in the very spot, where Alice's broken body, lay dead. The report was all over the newspapers in Hollywood.
'Why would Alice commit such an act? She isn't the type to do that. I refuse to believe that she was suicidal. I think somebody pushed her, and I know who.' Uriko's face, normally happy and cheerful, took on an evil looking face. Anger rushed into her body, and she shook with anger. 'YUGO! I KNOW YOU DID THIS!' Tears streamed down her face.
Uriko sighed, the court was going to need her, and she was going to be late if she didn't start walking. She smoothed her office skirt out and walked towards the courthouse.
"I'M TELLING YOU KENJI, IT WASN'T ME!" Said a gruff voice.
"I didn't say it was you, Yugo." Kenji's voice responded.
"Why does everyone think it was ME?" Yugo picked up a beer, and took a sip.
"Yugo, it wouldn't be smart to enter the court while drunk." Kenji said, sipping out of a water bottle. "Are you listening? I said-"
"Yeah, yeah.... I heard you the first time." Yugo set the beer down.
He was a successful businessman, with Kenji by his side. He had met Alice at the train station, years ago:
~*~*~*~*~*~* A Flashback *~*~*~*~*~*~
"All hope won't be lost Uriko! I'm sure SOMEBODY will hire me for acting. I have enough money to get by so far, so everything is okay." Alice's sweet voice said.
"But Alice! What if nobody wants you! I know that you're good at acting, but they look for those girls that wear almost nothing!" Uriko said, while bouncing the little ball Alice gave her.
Uriko, having the butterfingers she did as an 8-year-old, let the ball slip.
"Oh no! The ball! I'm very sorry Alice!" Uriko said tugging at Alice's sleeve.
"It's okay, Uriko. I'll buy you another one." Alice said patting Uriko on the back.
Then a young boy came emerged from the crowd. He had the little ball in his hand. His tousled hair was a dark brown, almost black. His lean figure was stiff, and his eyes were almost emotionless. He held the ball out in the palm of his hand, extending it towards Uriko. She took the ball, and thanked him.
"Kenji? Where'd you go? You can't run around like this in a train station! It's busy! Where are you?" Came another voice.
The boy made no suggestion that he was moving, so Alice stood up.
"Excuse me, sir? Are you looking for a little boy?" Alice asked.
She confronted the stranger. He had brown hair as well, and it was kind of droopy. His eyes seemed sharp, and his face had a scar in an X shape in between the eyes.
"Yes, a little boy. OH! Him! Kenji! Why'd you run like that?" Yugo said, picking the boy up and lifting him onto his shoulders. "Are you going somewhere? You have been in this place for a while."
"Well, not really. We're from out of state, and arrived only 4 hours ago but we're completely lost!" Alice said looking at the floor.
"How do you plan to survive with you and a child?" He asked looking at Uriko who occupied herself with the ball.
"Well, I know this sounds strange, but I'm pursuing a career that can only be found in Hollywood." Alice said sheepishly.
"You wanna be a star, huh?" Yugo asked.
"Uh huh.... I just don't know where to begin." Alice sighed.
"You've found the right man! I'm a manager looking for somebody to be my star. Would you like to try?" Yugo asked.
"Why! I'd love too!" Alice said, her hopes raising a bit.
"Then here's my card. Come to my place and I'll watch you act and model." Yugo said. "Oh, by the way, my name is Yugo, Yugo Ohgami."
"Oh! How rude of me! My name is Alice! Alice Nonomura." She replied. "And that's Uriko Nonomura." She pointed to Uriko, who turned her attention to them at the sound of her name.
"And this little boy is Kenji. Kenji Ohgami, but a smart girl like you would've figured that out." Yugo said. "See you tomorrow at 9:00 am sharp!" Yugo waved and left.
~*~*~*~*~*~* End Flashback *~*~*~*~*~*~
"Why does everyone think I am a suspect? Alice could've commit suicide. I don't know why I'm on their damn list of suspects." Yugo took a big drink of the beer. Kenji snatched it and put it on the table away from Yugo.
"I'm not saying you did, but you could've been drunk and can't remember." Kenji said.
"I was here at the house, doing paper work!" Yugo was getting angry. "And what about you Kenji? Where were you?"
"As you told me to do before, I was at the office doing the paper work that needed to be done THAT day." Kenji said crossing his arms over his chest.
"Damned kids...." Yugo muttered while getting up, "Think they own the place...."
~*~*~*~*~*~* Uriko *~*~*~*~*~*
"What? It is?" Uriko was covering one ear and listing to her cell phone with the other.
"I am sorry ma'am, but the court has suggested that the scheduled date for the trial be moved. It will be in 2 months." Said the woman on the other line.
"Okay, thank you miss. Good bye." Uriko hung up the phone.
Why did they do this NOW? They could've called a day or two before. Uriko stuffed the phone back into her purse. The little ball rolled beneath her fingers.
'The ball Alice gave me when we first arrived. And this ball was also her big break! To think, that a little blue bouncy ball is capable of making a star!' Uriko smiled and started to head home.
~*~*~*~*~*~* Yugo and Kenji *~*~*~*~*~*
"Okay, thank you for informing us. Good bye." Kenji hung up the phone. Why was Yugo such a lazy ass? "They have canceled the trial. It will take place two months from now.
"Good! I need a vacation...." Yugo said while rubbing his head. "All this crap is giving me headache. I can't believe it though...."
"Can't believe what, Yugo?" Kenji asked.
"That I'm their only suspect. Just because I was with her doesn't mean that gave me motive for killing her!" Yugo said while putting his head in his hands.
"Okay, tell me what you remember now. On the night of Alice's death." Kenji said. He was almost like a shrink for Yugo.
"Okay, let me think...." Yugo pondered about it. All I remember was this: I was getting in a fight with her. You know that we lived on the 15th story on our hotel, right? Well, the phone rang and she answered it. After that, I can't remember." Yugo rubbed his head.
"You need to stop drinking. One day, you'll die of alcohol poisoning. If you're not careful." Kenji said while pointing his finger at Yugo.
"What're you, some sort of monk? Lighten up already!" Yugo said.
"Hey Yugo?" Kenji said while flipping through the calendar of important dates.
"Yeah, Kenji?" Yugo responded.
"Today would've been your anniversary with Alice. You would've taken her to that spa, huh?" Kenji asked.
"The spa.... I remember it real well." Yugo sighed. "Hey Kenji! Let's take a vacation and visit spa! I haven't seen the owners for what seems like forever! She'll be so happy that I decided to come!" Yugo sprang from his spot on the couch and talked Kenji into it.
~*~*~*~*~* At Uriko's Place *~*~*~*~*~*
"Finally home! That took longer than expected." Uriko said while opening the door to her hotel.
The cool air felt good against her damp, hot skin. She went up to the reception desk.
"Hello, Pete. Any mail come in for me?" Uriko asked.
"Why yes, in fact two letters came. Here you go, Ms. Nonomura." Pete handed her the letters; Uriko thanked him and walked off.
She climbed the stairs, and went towards her room. She opened it, and began to set things down. When she was finally all settled, she took a look at the letters. One was from the owner of the Grand Coliseum Spa, her friends. She remembered when Alice would take her, Kenji and Yugo there, and they would spend weeks at a time enjoying themselves. What would Jane want?
~*~*~*~*~*~* The letter *~*~*~*~*~*~
Dear Ms. Uriko Nonomura,
When you step in, do give me a call, at the Grand Coliseum Spa.
From Ms. Jane Gado
"Jane's really changed now that she has her own business! That's good!" Uriko smiled. Now for the other letter. "Hm, that odd. No return address...."
She tore open the letter, and gasped. Little bits and pieces of newspapers were cut out and pasted into this letter.
~*~*~*~*~*~* The letter *~*~*~*~*~*~
TO ALICE,
YOU LITTLE BITCH, YOU WILL DIE!! ROT IN HELL!! I'M GLAD THAT YOU WERE SUICIDAL!! IT MAKES YOU EVEN MORE FUCKED UP THAN WHAT YOU WERE BEFORE!!
Uriko couldn't believe this letter. Why was it sent to her house? And why would they send a letter addressed to Alice and at the end know that she was dead. At the top it said, "TO ALICE" but at the bottom it said, "I'M GLAD YOU WERE SUICIDAL!!". They knew Alice was gone, so why were they being dumb asses? Uriko put the letter under Jane's. She'd call her now. Uriko was waiting for somebody to pick up.
"Hello, you have dialed the Grand Coliseum Spa, may I help you?" Jane's voice rang out.
"Hi Jane! Remember me?" Uriko was glad to hear an old friend's voice.
"Um, no." Jane still had an attitude though.
"Jane! It's me! Uriko Nonomura!" She called into the phone receiver.
"Uriko? You got my letter the, huh?" Jane asked.
"Yup! Sure did! Why'd you want me to call?" Uriko sat down into a chair.
"You know that it's Alice's and Yugo's anniversary, right? Well, come down for a while and you can visit and we can talk. I haven't seen you in a while." Jane replied.
"I don't know.... I have a lot to do and-" Uriko started but Jane cut her off.
"As my guest, Uriko." Jane said.
Alice always said those were the three hardest words to say no to coming from Jane and her invitations.
"Well, okay. When would you like me to start coming?" Uriko was digging through her clothes, finding what she'd need.
"As soon as you're finished packing!" Jane sounded freakishly happy.
"Um, okay.... I'll be over within 8 hours, okay?" Uriko asked.
"Okay Uriko. Good bye," Jane hung up, and Uriko wondered why she was trying to force her to go over there. She had barely finished packing after 1/2 an hour, and she was out the door, piling into her car with mounds of suitcases.
~*~*~*~*~*~* Yugo and Kenji *~*~*~*~*~*~
"Are you ready Kenji?" Yugo asked.
"I've been ready for over an hour now." Kenji responded.
"Good! Then let's go to the Grand Coliseum Spa!" Yugo said. He piled the luggage into the trunk, and sat in the passenger's seat. Kenji was forced to drive.
"Why am I always the one to play chauffeur?" He asked.
"Kenji, lighten up. This is good for your driving skills as well." Yugo replied.
He placed the passenger seat to go down, and fell into a deep slumber. Little did Yugo and Kenji know that Uriko would be going to the same spa. The worst part was, she was the one who convicted Yugo of murdering Alice.
So, the beginning of another mystery has started! I hope you like this one as much as my first mystery (which sucked T-T). Anyway, I'm sorry for making Jane happy.... Okay, review if you can and if you do, you're the best! ^_- See ya... laterz.
